Minneapolis, MN – The debate after the Minnesota Vikings’ 28–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles hasn’t cooled, as tight end T. J. Hockenson’s frustration over his overturned touchdown continues to ripple across social media. Yet amid the criticism of the officiating and the NFL’s catch rule, Vikings legend Cris Carter—who once wore both purple and, later, Eagles green—has pushed back. He labeled Hockenson’s complaints as “whining,” while asserting the Eagles were the better team and earned the victory.

After the game, Hockenson told reporters he no longer understands the league’s catch rule and argued that the league office in New York should not have stepped in to overturn a call that the on-field officials initially ruled as a touchdown. He insisted there was “nothing to overturn” on the late play that would have sliced the deficit to two points in the final minutes, suggesting the league office intervened incorrectly.

But Carter criticized Hockenson’s reaction as lacking composure. In his view, a professional has to accept reality and take accountability rather than cast blame. “When you’re trailing and you get your last chance, your job is to finish the play—not to search for excuses after it doesn’t go your way,” Carter said. “The Eagles executed better and capitalized. That’s football—there’s no room for complaining.”

The showdown at Lincoln Financial Field did bring controversy. On 3rd-and-2, Hockenson secured a pass in the end zone and the on-field signal was touchdown. However, after review, the league’s replay center in New York ruled the pass incomplete, determining the ball contacted the ground as Hockenson briefly lost control. Minnesota instead kicked a field goal, and Philadelphia closed the door from there.

According to Carter, the issue wasn’t the officials; it was Minnesota’s own execution. He stressed that the Vikings squandered too many chances—turning just one of six red-zone trips into a touchdown and committing two turnovers. “If you’re relying on a perfect catch at the end to salvage the whole night, it means you didn’t play well enough earlier,” he noted. “Big-time teams don’t blame the rulebook; they look at how they wasted opportunities.”

Carter also tipped his cap to the Eagles for their backbone and discipline in high-leverage moments. “Philadelphia knows how to finish. They hit explosives, played smart defense, and never panicked. That’s why they won.” On a night when the Eagles struck with multiple long touchdowns while the Vikings scrambled to crack a well-organized defense, the difference felt decisive.

When asked about Hockenson’s post-game remarks, Carter offered a wry smile. “I’ve been in that spot. I know how it stings to feel like a call went against you. But truth is, the ball hit the ground. You can’t try to win with emotion alone. If you want to make your case, let the scoreboard do the talking.”

His comments spread quickly among fans of both teams. For many Vikings supporters, it felt like a painful but honest message from someone who once embodied their colors. For Eagles fans, it validated the sense that the win came from resolve, not luck.

Whether the arguments over Hockenson’s overturned catch linger or not, the takeaway from a man who’s lived on both sidelines is blunt: in the NFL, no one owes you a win—you have to take it. And on that night in Philadelphia, the Eagles did exactly that.